Overview
Allen & Heath Qu-5D, 32-Channel Digital Mixer with Dante
Allen & Heath’s legendary digital mixer is reborn, supercharged with a 96kHz XCVI core for DEEP Processing capabilities, increased channel count with fully flexible patching across 4 customisable layers, a completely redesigned user interface, significant hardware upgrades, plus extended connectivity.
The new Qu retains the much-loved appearance and form factor of the original Qu series, but with multiple hardware improvements to elevate the sonic performance and mixing experience. Updated microphone preamps and high-performance 96kHz AD/DA converters combine to deliver pristine audio to and from the XCVI core, preserving every detail of the source. Every channel now features a channel display – showing channel name, channel type, or socket number – and a chromatic channel meter for at-a-glance level information, and the new touchscreen accommodates a completely redesigned user interface.
Features
- Reliable Recording and Playback. Anywhere: Every Qu model is packed with versatile recording and playback options, with an integrated 32×32 USB-C audio interface, 32-channel multitrack support via SD card, and simple stereo recording and playback through the USB-A port, whatever your application.
- Updated Workflow: The original Qu series was well loved for its ease and speed of use, making it the perfect mixer for engineers coming from the analogue world. The new Qu takes this further, maintaining a focus on “walk up and mix” usability while adding 4 fully customisable layers, more assignable SoftKeys for workflow optimisation, and flexible routing options in addition to the classic 1:1 Qu routing, all accessible via a newly developed, fast and responsive, user interface.
- Everything I/O Compatible: Thanks to its SLink port, Qu can be connected to the Everything I/O family of rack and stage box expanders making it a flexible, mix ‘n’ match solution for owners of other Allen & Heath digital systems. It can even be connected directly to other Allen & Heath consoles with up to 128×128 channels of 96kHz audio available for patching.
- Feedback Assistant: Qu’s easy to use Feedback Assistant automatically identifies and removes problematic frequencies with up to 16 filters per output, allowing you to mix with confidence and put feedback worries behind you.
- Automatic Mic Mixer: Qu’s 32 channel Automatic Mic Mixer (AMM) makes it the perfect choice for mixing conferences, panel talks, and TV shows. It’s fully integrated in the mixer, with no extra latency, so you don’t need to route the audio to an internal DSP rack or external plugin system.
- Dante Enabled: The Qu-5D provides a 16×16 Dante interface at 96kHz or 48kHz for integration into larger systems or installs.
Specifications / Documents
- Inputs
- Mic/Line Inputs: Balanced Combi XLR/Jack, fully recallable preamp
- Input Sensitivity: -60 to +0dBu
- TRS Inputs: -20dB Pad (Fixed)
- Preamp Gain: 0dB to +60dB, 1dB steps
- Maximum Input Level (XLR/Jack): +16dBu Mic input/+30dBu
- Input Impedance: >1.5kΩ MIC / >20kΩ TRS
- THD+N, Unity gain 0dB: 0.002% -92dB (20Hz-20kHz, AES Direct Out, @0dBu 1kHz)
- THD+N, Mid gain +30dB: 0.004% -88dB (20Hz-20kHz, AES Direct Out, @-30dBu 1kHz)
- Phantom Power: +48V (+3V / -2V)
- Stereo Line Inputs: Balanced, 2x 1/4" TRS jack
- Input Sensitivity: Nominal +4dBu
- Trim: ±24dB
- Maximum Input Level: +21dBu
- Input Impedance: >6kΩ
- Outputs
- XLR Outputs: Balanced, XLR
- Outputs A and B: Balanced 1/4" TRS Jack
- Source: Fully patchable
- Output Impedance: <75O
- Nominal Output: +4dBu = 0dB meter reading
- Maximum Output Level: +22dBu
- Residual Output Noise: -88dBu (muted, 20Hz-20kHz)
- AES Digital Output:
- Balanced XLR 2 channel
- 96kHz sampling rate (Default with SRC Bypassed)
- Switchable output sample rates, 44.1/48/88.2/96kHz
- 2.5Vpp balanced terminated 110O
- Dante Interface: 16×16 48/96 kHz Dante interface with dedicated locking EtherCon port (Qu-5D only)
- USB Audio
- Qu-Drive: USB-A or SD Card, recording or playback
- Stereo Record (USB-A): 2 channel, WAV, 48/96kHz, 24-bit, fully patchable
- Stereo Playback (USB-A): 1/2 channel, WAV, 44.1/48/96kHz 16/24-bit, fully patchable
- Multitrack Record (SDHC): 16 channels 96kHz, 32 channels 48kHz, 24-bit, WAV, fully patchable
- Multitrack Playback (SDHC): 16 channels 96kHz, 32 channels 48kHz, 24-bit, WAV, fully patchable
- SD Card: SDHC, 32GB, UHS-I, Class 10 for maximum channels, 48/96 kHz, 24-bit
- USB Audio Streaming: USB-C connection, USB 2.0 Core Audio compliant, ASIO/WDM for Windows
- Send (upstream): 32 channels, 48/96kHz, 24-bit
- Return (downstream): 32 channels, 48/96kHz, 24-bit
- Control
- Touch Screen: 7" Capacitive, 800 x 480 resolution, 24-bit RGB
- SoftKeys: 8
- Mute Groups/DCA Groups: 8/8
- Network: TCP/IP Ethernet for Control and MIDI
- MIDI: USB-C and TCP/IP
- Footswitch: Single or Dual, Momentary or Latching
- System
- 38 input, 28 bus, XCVI Core: Measured balanced XLR in to XLR out, 0dB gain, 0dBu input
- Dynamic Range: 110 dB
- Frequency Response: +0/-0.5dB 20Hz to 20kHz
- Headroom: +18dB
- Internal Operating Level: 0dBu
- THD+N, Mic/Line routed to Main L/R Out: Unity gain, 0.005%, -87dB (20Hz-20kHz)
- dBFS Alignment: +18dBu = 0dBFS (+22dBu at XLR output)
- Meter Calibration: 0dB meter = -18dBFS (+4dBu at XLR out)
- Main Meter Type: 2x 12 segment, fast (peak) response, follows PAFL
- Channel Meter Type: Chromatic Channel Metering, fully programmable colour/brightness
- Peak Indication: -3dBFS (+19dBu at XLR out), Multi-point sensing
- Sampling Rate: 96kHz
- Bit Depth: XCVI custom bit depths, up to 96-bit
- Latency: <0.7ms, Local Mic Input to Main L/R
- Operating Temperature Range: 32°F - 104°F (0°C - 40°C)
- Mains Power: 100V - 240V AC, 50/60Hz
- Max Power Consumption (Qu-5/Qu-5D): 70W/75W
